Lauren Tharp Ready for Chance to Be Next Great UK Libero

The Kentucky volleyball program has a long history of producing outstanding play at the libero position. This season, senior Lauren Tharp is hoping to add her name to that legacy.

No program in the history of SEC volleyball has had as much success at producing great liberos as Kentucky. The list of names and accomplishments for Kentucky liberos is quite impressive.

Kentucky has won the SEC defensive player/libero of the year 12 times in the last 18 years. It started with Jenni Casper (2003 and 2005), then Stephanie Klefot (2010, 2011, 2012), Jackie Napper (2014), Ashley Dusek (2015, 2016, 2017) and, most recently, Gabby Curry (2018, 2019, 2020).

Curry graduated following last season and the libero position is now up for grabs. Tharp, a senior, would seem to be one of the choices to fill that role. It’s something she is prepared to do.

“I feel great about it,” Tharp said. “I think, over the years, I’ve learned so much from the people before me, especially Gabby Curry, watching people like Ashley Dusek. Just taking things from them and applying them to my game is going to be huge.”

Tharp has been an effective server for the Cats for three seasons. Last year, she compiled 18 services aces and she proved to be one of the best servers on the team. It’s a craft that she works hard to perfect.

“I definitely work on serving a lot,” Tharp said. “I feel like, when I come in the game, it’s my job to try to change the momentum, whether it’s getting a couple of aces in or mess up the passing patterns on the other side. I just try to serve as aggressively as I can.”

Tharp has more than 500 digs in three seasons at UK. Last year, she had 148 digs, averaging 1.78 digs per set. She played a key role on defense as the Cats won the national championship, something that seems to have changed the team’s demeanor in the practice gym, according to Tharp.

“I think there’s a different tone in the gym now,” Tharp said. “There’s a next level of confidence. When we step in the gym, there’s nothing we can’t do because we’ve had this experience.”

What are the team’s goals, following UK’s first-ever national title?

“Maintain focus, playing matches back-to-back,” Tharp said. “Maintaining that focus both days in a row is going to be huge for us.”

And as for herself, she will look to provide guidance for young players the way that Curry and others provided the same for her.

“Definitely be a leader on the court,” Tharp said. “Lead, whether through my play or leading the underclassmen as much as I can.”

Stepping into the role as the libero at Kentucky would automatically make Tharp a leader. It’s a job she has been preparing for and is ready to assume.